Using Infinova outdoor security cameras, placed throughout the facility, many with an IP66 rating to protect against the maritime environment, refinery and oil terminal security operations staff can view what is going on within the refinery at all times plus refer to a record of any incidences using Infinova DVRs.

The system also features an Infinova V2010 video matrix switcher system which lets ten refinery security operations personnel view ten monitors while operating ten keyboards simultaneously. The system is used by Rompetrol Rafinare SA operators but administered by the integrator, Global Security System SA (Bucharest).

“We refine over 14,000 tons of crude oil per day so it is very important that we can monitor activities throughout our refinery. However, it is quite difficult to provide high performance video in such a large area, especially one with all the electrical interference found in a refinery,” explains Laurentiu Sofron, Rompetrol Rafinare SA project manager. “Not only could Infinova supply us with the whole range of video products, from security cameras to DVRs, they also could provide the fibre optics equipment. We felt that having all products in our system under one brand name would be a tremendous advantage for us.”
“With fibre optics, the refinery has no problems with electro-magnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), cross-talk or ground loops,” emphasises Liviu Vladulescu, technical director for Global Security System SA. “Rompetrol Rafinare SA does not need to worry about short circuits, sparks or fire hazards with fiber. In addition, the large signal carrying capacity of optical fibres makes it possible to provide not only many more signals, but also more sophisticated signals than could ever be handled by a comparable amount of copper wire.”

Vladulesco also noted that, in working with Infinova on other large projects, he knew that the Infinova technical support had the expertise his organisation would need with local pre-sale and post-sale engineering support. According to Rompetrol Rafinare’s Sofron, “We have many other projects planned, including putting in video systems at our retail outlets. We will be using an Infinova solution there as well.”

Infinova recently announced that it has gone public, raising (US) $300 million, which it will use to grow both organically and through acquisitions.